JPI
They look quite intense here, but Peter Reckell and Crystal Chappell are actually lots of fun to talk to!

This past Monday, SOAPnet.com was totes privileged to participate in a conference call with Days of our Lives stars Crystal Chappell and Peter Reckell. As you are (or should be) well aware, Crystal -- most recently seen on the dearly departed Guiding Light -- has returned to Days after a 16-year absence. And as for Peter, he's been with the show since 1983, give or take a few years, -- and just this year was (finally!) nominated for a Daytime Emmy as Outstanding Lead Actor.

The duo covered a whole mess o' topics; we've culled together some of the more interesting answers below for your reading enjoyment. And don't forget -- if you wanna meet all your fave Days stars in person this weekend, head on over to Universal CityWalk in Los Angeles for Day of Days! We'll be there, so expect a rundown next week.

And now, onto the meaty stuff:

On what it was like for Crystal to work on so many different soaps ... and how it feels to be back on Days:

Crystal: "Every environment is different. But the process is pretty much the same so with the exception of Guiding Light -- the last year and a half that was very different ... And as far as coming back, I mean, I'm thrilled. I'm having probably the best time that I've had in years. It's really, really been fun to play this character again and work with everybody again."

On why Carly caused Lawrence's untimely demise:

Crystal: " ... There was a major threat for her to do something like that. And she knew that Lawrence would be the person to follow through on his threat -- so the only way she could save someone that she loves is to eliminate him and get out of there."

On what Carly's like now:

Crystal: "Well, I love that she's come back and she's imperfect. I wanted to come back, but I wanted her to be different. I love that ... she seems to be really, really good at the doctor thing -- and then just a total loser when it comes to relationships ... But, yeah, as much as she would like to think that she can handle everything on her own, she needs Bo [and Justin] and knows that they'll come through."

On Bo's history with both Carly and Hope:

Peter: "Bo and Hope have been together for so long, and the writers have found it difficult to make our stories interesting. And bringing ... the character of Carly back makes it a lot more exciting and interesting on a lot of new levels ... There's a lot of history with both these women, so it's pretty intense. It just makes a perfect love story when the circumstances are what [stir] the pot."

Keep reading ...